Graduating UCF students are concerned about recent job market revisions declining.

Jerell Scatliffe, senior clinical psychology major, scrolls through job applications while on campus on Oct. 8. Scatliffe has been applying for jobs since late September, and intends to graduate fall 2025. 

Skyler Williamson

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revised its national unemployment data in September, marking the largest downward revision in decades, and UCF students are beginning to feel the effects. 

The new numbers shown in the Sept. 19 release indicated the national unemployment rate rose to 4.3%, reflecting a gradual slowdown in hiring across several industries. 

The report also showed that Florida has not been made immune to this trend, as the state’s unemployment rate has increased from 3.4% in 2024 to 3.8% in 2025.

While the increase might not be much, it signals a growing uncertainty for students and recent graduates entering the workforce, as many soon-to-be graduates from UCF are already searching for jobs ahead of the December commencement. 

With fewer openings and higher requirements, students are learning that strong grades alone are not enough to stand out to employers. 

Jerell Scatliffe, a senior clinical psychology major, is expected to graduate by the end of the fall semester and said the state of the current job market makes her nervous about the future. 

“I’m a little hesitant about the current job market and getting a job immediately after I graduate,” Scatliffe said. “I have been looking around, but especially being a psychology major, the options for a bachelor’s are pretty limited.” 

William Steiger, UCF senior lecturer of marketing at the College of Business, said college students are having a harder time entering the job market and need to choose wisely the courses they study at UCF.

“I think students have to figure out what they have that’s transferable into the job market,” Steiger said. “If whatever skills they’ve learned are transferable, can they find a job where that’s important to the company? Because they only get hired for one or two reasons, either to make money or save money.”

Steiger said the job market recently has gotten tougher, especially for college graduates, but there are things students can do to make themselves stand out to future employers. 

“You have to be confident, show up prepared and you have to have the ability to listen and ask questions,” Steiger said. “If you can come to the interviewer with those three things, you can get jobs.” 

Across campus, UCF Career Services is working to help students navigate the job market through career labs, resume workshops and a semesterly Internship & Career Expo where students get the opportunity to meet potential employers. 

UCF Career Services encourages students to start planning early and take advantage of the university’s resources well before graduation. 

According to their website, the office offers resources for students to strengthen their resumes and improve their interview skills in hopes of building students’ confidence while shifting into the workforce. 

Scatliffe said she feels somewhat confident shifting into the workforce, but has some worries.

“I feel like I can get a job or any job, but would it be related to what I want to do in the future, and related to my degree? Probably not,” Scatliffe said. “I am hoping that I can find something.”

While some students continue their job search, others have been more fortunate.

Takerah Prince, a senior information technology major, said she already has a job lined up after graduation, something she doesn’t take for granted given the current job climate. 

“I got lucky, but I understand the job market is difficult,” Prince said. “Entering the job market or having to apply organically with everyone else as a candidate was difficult.”

Prince said her friend graduated last year, and it took her 6 months post-grad to obtain a job. 

“It took her about six months to get employed, and even after that, she still didn’t technically start until nine months after that, so I understand the sentiment that students share within the job market and the way it works,” Prince said. 

Steiger said students can take classes or add a minor to help them stand out for different job applications.

“You have to be able to sell yourself to get the job,” Steiger said.